James Carl Gilmour

James Carl Gilmour, 73, of Delta, CO, died of lung cancer September 29, 2022. Personable, Jim laughed easily and often. Quick-tempered, he was equally quick to forgive. Generous but often broke, he lived life on his own terms. He felt his mission in life was “to help people and animals everyone else had abandoned.” After a Yosemite bear encounter, Jim’s mother nicknamed him “little bear man.” His doctor at the Grand Junction Veterans Administration Medical Center called Jim “Bear.” Delta friends Elizabeth Leonard and Joel Hamburg called him “Pops.” Jim was loved.

In 1949 polio struck Jim, his two-year-old brother, and his mother in Terre Haute, IN. Jim was six weeks old. His last year of high school after his parents’ divorce, Jim lived with an uncle and then on his own, graduating in Reedsport, OR, before he joined the Navy. Trained as an electrician’s mate and explosives expert, Jim served his country 9 ½ years from 1967-1976. Repeatedly exposed to the cancer-causing herbicide Agent Orange while clearing minefields along the coast and rivers of Vietnam aboard the minesweeper Persistent MSO-491, Jim was assigned as a trainer aboard the Bridget DE1024, then returned to combat duty aboard guided missile cruiser Providence CLG-6 and coastal minesweeper Phoebe MSC-199. After hospital time Jim was honorably discharged with a meritorious unit citation, gallantry cross ribbon, combat action ribbon, and Vietnam Service Medal with a Bronze Star awarded for heroism in armed conflict. A disabled veteran, Jim was proud of his Vietnam service, but it haunted his dreams and plagued his health.

After his war years, Jim learned diverse skills working at a marine hardware store, operating the Big Bear Queen paddlewheel tour boat, managing Big Bear marina, and building Loon Lodge Boy Scout camp (CA); working with FMC and Crowley Marine shipbuilding (OR); operating a ski lift, doing maintenance at summer camps, managing a hardware store, and running snowmobile and whitewater tours in Telluride, CO.

Jim married four times and had two sons: James Blanchette with Sue Ellen Creech, pre-Vietnam, and Gregory McKrill with Dianna Joy Bulich after his military service. Both sons were adopted by their new stepfathers. Following a brief union with Jamie Lynn Miller in Big Bear, Jim’s fourth marriage to Deborah Gay Hand in 1987 lasted 30 years. Independent, fun-loving Deb helped Jim find deliverance from his demons. Colorado was their chosen state. Deb’s KOTO radio program and lip-sync charity performances made the Telluride Daily Planet news. They adopted homeless and out-of-luck people and traveled in their motorcoach.

Jim is survived by sons Jim (Debbie) Blanchette, WY, and Greg (Holly) McKrill, CA; six grandchildren: Zachary and Zoe McKrill, James Kerber, Cassie (Taylor) Morland, Nathaniel and Colton Blanchette; and three great grandsons; Mason, Bryce, and William Morland; siblings Mary Louise (Charles) Gerbi in AK, Robert (Shelley), CA, and Michael (Cindy) Gilmour, TX, nieces, nephews, cousins, and stepchildren. He was predeceased by wives Sue Ellen Creech and Deborah Hand, parents John and Loueda Gilmour, and brother William (Linda) Gilmour. Burial will be at Veterans Memorial Cemetery of Western Colorado, 2830 Riverside Parkway, Grand Junction, on Monday, November 21, 2022, at 3 pm with an honor guard and flag presentation.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Gilmour family.